The ASHA Pleasure Committee has restructured the way it will award the National pleasure horse awards. Formerly, these awards were done as a single class at one show. Now it has become a seasonal high-point award. They did, however, leave the ASHA National Pleasure Equitation class as a single class. As part of this restructuring, various shows around the United States were offered the opportunity to submit their bid to host to this exclusive Championship Class.

During the February 2005 ASHA Pleasure Horse Committee Meeting, the host process for the ASHA National Pleasure Equitation Class was reviewed. It was decided that the geographical location, date, and the appropriateness of the facilities would be the determining criteria.

The Committee reviewed the bids and after discussion accepted motions. A motion was made and carried to award the National Pleasure Equitation Class to the Wisconsin Futurity Horse Show through the 2010 show. The WI Futurity Horse Festival is proud to hold its’ inaugural class during their annual horse show scheduled for September 21-25, 2005 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI.

The WI Futurity Horse Festival is pleased to announce the scholarship monies to be awarded for 2005 as: 1st place - $3000.00; 2nd place $1000.00, and 3rd place $1000.00. We are proud to offer this scholarship money...and what a great way to reward our young rider athletes for their pursuit of a college education!

Below are the rules for the 2005 Class. Any questions can be directed to the Festival Show Manager, Scott Stollenwerk (262) 893-0045.

1. Eligibility to compete in the ASHA Pleasure Equitation National Championship class is limited to those riders who have not reached their 18th birthday and show ONLY American Saddlebred pleasure horses in equitation classes during a given competition season. This does not exclude saddle seat equitation riders showing other breeds. Country pleasure and show pleasure horses may both compete.
2. The class will be judged with the SEN System. At least the top four riders must be worked individually from any of the Saddle Seat Equitation tests 1-16. At that point, rail work is 50% amd the individual workout is 50%.
3. Both owner amd exhibitor of the horse are ASHA members on the date the class is held.
4. Documentation has been submitted to the horse show that the rider has shown in at least two pleasure equitation classes during a given competition season.
5. Only classes held at a USEF rated show will count towards qualification.
6. It is the responsibility of the owner, trainer or agent to provide verification of the shows in which the entry has qualified. $5000 Scholarship ($1000 will be donated by Knollwood Knockouts)